Stainless Steel Mini Folding Trowel - Ideal for Gardening and Planting

Toothpick Factory: I bought this shovel for camping. I backpack here and there, but short trips. Drive-in camping, too. This is ideal for lightweight use, so probably not digging deep holes. I read reviews mentioned how it didn't lock into place, but for me it's working well. I'm not digging pits, but its handy when you need it for other simple uses. Folding it back up is a bit difficult; you have to find that perfect squeeze to fold it without it really hurting your hand.
Lately I've been finding myself using this more for my indoor gardening needs since I don't have a normal garden trowel... and I must say this works quite well! Its small enough for pots of many sizes.
Like everyone is saying, you get what you paid for.

United States on Sep 18, 2018

Amazon Customer: Good and portable .

Canada on Aug 29, 2017

Alex MacEwen: Exactly what I was hoping for!

Canada on Jun 23, 2016

M Chappell: simple and well made. great price. i'm happy.

Canada on May 27, 2015

Sumaan Khan: Exactly the item that is described. Aside from not having tracking information when shipped, it's perfect.

Canada on Aug 15, 2014

Foodie1: I will update this as I use it, but for the money I like the quality. With the little sheath it sure beats carrying a shovel.

Yes, it's very small - it's a portable (very portable) trowel. It's not meant to dig tranches - just a little hole to plant something (if you garden) or a little "camping toilet" hole - hugely important to prevent flies, disease and water source contamination. Yes, it's not a real shovel, but it's better than digging by hand or with a knife.

I realize that ultra-light backpackers might not care to use this, especially if they're not staying long in one place (it's not like bears bury their poop either), but for any extended stay in the woods with no facilities, you MUST bury your waste (it's even in the Bible - Deuteronomy 23:13).

So watch out for bears and "bury your excrement" ;) Ha-ha

I like the sturdiness of the metal and that it's stainless. Mine seems to lock well in the open position and fits well into the sheath (a nice feature). I just ordered another.

United States on Apr 23, 2014

DB BluBlock Productions: I have have two of these that i've purchased about a year and a half apart. For starters, they are far more expensive here compared to big box brick and mortar stores. The first one that I snagged was REALLY tight, and pretty difficult to close. They have a decent edge and cut through pretty tough surfaces easily. The edge will fold over if you hit a root really hard, but hey.. its a couple dollar hand shovel. Just bend it out, fix the edge, and carry on..

The second shovel was far too loose. I heated up the handle where it clips into place, and expand it out slightly. This solved the problem, and I haven't had any issues since. I personally find these shovels to be rather strong. The design would require pretty harsh abuse or prying to damage the locking mechanism in the shovel. Anybody that has used the plastic shovels know that they can flex and break easily in cold weather.. not gonna happen with this!

In regards to people hurting themselves because the shovel handle is too loose.. I don't understand. Perhaps I just don't understand the technique they use, or I have a very different way of shoveling. I stab into the dirt and pull towards myself, and have yet to...

United States on Feb 02, 2014

DH: Ordered this item for a lightweight digging tool for small hiking/camping tasks.
The usable portion of the blade measures approximately 4-1/2" x 2-1/8". The handle measures approximately 1-1/8" x 3-3/4". The metal appears sturdy enough. The handle fits into two holes in the blade and it does squeak.
The handle folds into the blade for storage. My scale went defunct a while back and I haven't replaced it so I don't know its overall weight.
What I found that detracts from this item is the handle, when deployed, simply sits in a cutout at the back of the blade. It does not lock into place, so when handling this tool the blade flops freely to and fro. It would have been simple to incorporate locking ears and to squeeze the handle rods to lock and unlock in place.
This trowel also comes with a nylon carrying case with a velcro flap and belt loop. The fabric is thin with single stitching, indeed, it arrived with loose threads already. The belt loop is pretty flimsy and can accommodate belts up to 2-3/4". For me the case quality is moot as I intend to just use it for tool storage and carry the whole unit in my pack.
For outdoor minor uses that don't require a folding...

United States on Apr 20, 2013

SteveG: Update: The picture has changed and now shows a large folding shovel/entrenching style tool. This is not the correct picture for this item. This item is a small one-hand garden trowel with a handle that folds, not a larger two-handed folding shovel as is pictured.

This is a very solid tool and quite small when folded. I purchased this as a possible replacement for my Fiskers plastic trowel for use while backpacking. This folding metal trowel does save space but is a bit heaver that the plastic trowel. As space was not a big concern in my big pack and the plastic trowel is lighter and just as strong, I put this folding shovel in my small day-hike kit and kept the plastic one for my main pack.

It takes a bit of practice to use this, as squeezing the handle will let it fold. However it is a simple matter to find a grip that works. The price is right, and it's a functional tool that is well suited to uses where space is at a premium. The lightweight canvas carrier also prevents the trowel from damaging other items packed with it.

I also was given a name-brand version of this trowel that costs five times more. There are cosmetic differences and the lips that hold...

United States on Aug 17, 2010